Linear Motion + Me Stepper Motor Driver + MeBaseShield V2.0 Not working

#1

Hello,

I just bought from the makeblock store the Linear Motion Guide Module Pack

I also bought the Me Stepper Driver
I also bought the Me Base Shield V2.0 of MakeBlock and connected it to an Arduino Mega.

I then loaded the software TestStepperDriver from the makeblock arduino library that I just downloaded today from your website (I changed the include from “MeOrion.h” to #include “MeShield.h”). I then connected the DC jack of 9V to the shield.

See below the two pictures of the full setup:
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6Ebbkx9UtEteno4MHlwOEZZbWM
https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B6Ebbkx9UtEtbkxFempVODlWbXc

And nothing happens. Nothing…
I even tried to load the software SerialControlStepper but still nothing happens after I tried to enter all the numbers via the serial monitor (0 to 9).
I can’t even hear the motor trying to work…

I am very frustrated. I bought this, assembled it and nothing…

Any help would be great.

Thanks,
David

#2

Hi,

From the picture, there is no led lit up on the Stepper motor driver.
You may check if you have power on the Main board with external power except the power from USB cable.

#3

Hi,

Thanks for the reply.

I checked and there was still power on the main board even without the USB cable.

I found out that the cable connecting between the driver and port 1 is faulty. I replaced it and now the red led is turned on.
However, still nothing happens.

Do you have any more ideas what could be the issue?

Thanks,
David

#4

Hi,

Following my previous reply a few minutes ago, I found out that if I just touch the variable resistor on the driver board with my finger then suddenly the stepper motor begins to make sounds but doesn’t actually move.
I then tried to turned the variable resistor in both direction but still nothing… only noise from the motor.
I then tried to change the settings on the three pin switch and still nothing - only the level of noise changes.

Anyway, only when I touch the variable resistor it works.
I touched it for about 1 minute and then the motor stopped making noises. The IC on the driver motor was super hot so I turned off the power to let it cool. Now after it is cool again I try again to turn on the power and now the motor won’t make any noise at all…
This is so frustrating…

David

#5

Hi again,

I did some more checking and managed to solve the problem.
First of all, I destroyed the stepper motor driver so I bought a new one.
Then, still, the system didn’t work.

So I found out that the CABLE between the stepper motor driver and the shield was the problem.
I had already checked two different cables and they were both not suitable because apparently I just took a regular phone cable and used it to plug between the two. Now I suddenly realize that such cables only have 2 pins but we need all 6.
So I bought a suitable cable and with the new stepper motor driver everything now works great.

Even though I eventually solved this myself, I thank the tech team for their support.
And I hope anybody else who encounters this issue will find this topic useful.

Regards,
David

#6